Political cartoon. (News Skills).

During the Cold War (1945-1991), the world's countries often seemed to be divided into two groups. Non-Communist and other countries were generally allied with the U.S., and Communist countries were controlled by or sided with the U.S.S.R.

The cartoon at right compares Cold War alliances with today's complicated relationships, now that the U.S. is the only remaining superpower. Study the cartoon, and then answer the questions.

1. Who are the people in the cartoon? __________

2. According to the map on the left, how was the world divided during the Cold War? __________

3. Countries with what type of government fell under the "Them" category? __________

4. What country is now labeled "Big Time Them" and why? __________

5. What does the cartoonist imply (suggest) about current political relationships between the U.S. and other countries? __________

Political cartoon

1. Two U.S. citizens

2. Between "us" and "them"

3. Communist countries

4. North Korea, because of the nuclear threat it may pose to the world

5. The cartoonist suggests that Americans are no longer sure which countries are U.S. allies or enemies.